PROFESSOR TURUN PADANG: ENHANCING PUPILS’ PRODUCTIVE LANGUAGE SKILLS AND ECO-CONSCIOUSNESS
KUALA KRAU, PAHANG, 11 OCTOBER 2024 – The Centre for Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) organised a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme under the ‘Professor Turun Padang’ (PTP) initiative entitled Learn English Outdoor.
The PTP program was carried out on 11 October 2024 at SMK Kuala Krau, Temerloh, Pahang, in collaboration with the Centre for Industry and Community Network (ICoN) and Centre for Corporate Communication, and as part of the Kembara TVET@Kuala Krau program. This is a UMPSA program aiming to strengthen the TVET initiative and CSR programmes with the Kuala Krau communities.
100 secondary school pupils, including pupils from the Orang Asli community, and two English language teachers from SMK Kuala Krau were involved in the programme with eight facilitators from CML, led by Associate Professor Dr Hafizoah Kassim. The facilitators include Dr Fatimah Ali, Dr Nor Yazi Khamis, Dr Azwin Arif Abdul Rahim, Ms. Nur Syafawati Sabuan, Ms. Rosjuliana Hidayu Rosli, Mr. Mohd Aizat Zulkifli and Dr Mohammad Musab Azmat Ali.
With the over reliance on and excessive use of technology in the current landscape of education, the PTP program highlighted the implementation of an impactful instructional approach, i.e. outdoor learning approach. This aims to enhance pupils’ productive language skills and at the same time empower their environmental awareness.
Utilising a module entitled Pick & Tell, the PTP encouraged students to utilize environmental materials as learning tools to enhance English language productive skills such as speaking, writing, and storytelling. Key activities included descriptive tasks where students explored and selected natural objects to describe, draw, and use as story elements. The activities allowed students to engage deeply with their surroundings, helping them to confidently express ideas, improve vocabulary and boost creativity.
The PTP’s goals align with SDG 4: Quality Education, promoting inclusive and equitable education, and SDG 13: Climate Action, focusing on climate awareness and action. By using English language as a bridge to global knowledge and encouraging environmental awareness, this PTP underscores the importance of quality education that extends beyond academic settings. Pupils were also encouraged to think critically about sustainability, furthering their awareness of the role they play in protecting the environment.
The program’s impact was praised by SMK Kuala Krau’s Head of the English Department, Ms. Asmaliza Md Isa, who highlighted the students' enjoyment and the positive effects on their learning experience. By embodying the principles of SDG 4 and SDG 13, "Learn English Outdoor" has set a compelling example of how education can drive sustainable change, equipping students with language skills, environmental consciousness, and a global perspective.
Written by
Hafizoah Kassim, Rosjuliana Hidayu Rosli and Nur Syafawati Sabuan
Centre for Modern Languages
